Received a verbal offer from HR after a few rounds of internship interviews for a MM IB in Asia but one of the largest in China. However, it has been almost a month and HR just said that there is a few more rounds of approval required. Is this normal? What should I do?
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Hey, totally understand how this feels... waiting with no clarity is tough. I actually know someone who had a similar experience with a large MM firm in Asia. In their case, it also took several weeks after the verbal offer, mostly due to internal approvals and sign-offs. So yes, unfortunately, this kind of delay can be normal, especially in bigger or state-affiliated firms.
That said, it’s perfectly okay to follow up politely, something like: “Just checking in to see if there’s any update on the timeline. I’m still very excited about the opportunity and happy to provide anything you might need.” That keeps you top of mind without sounding pushy.
And just to be safe, I’d still suggest continuing with other applications until something’s official. Always good to have options.
Best regards!
Hi There!
It’s not uncommon, especially in some Asian markets, for formal offer letters to take longer due to internal approvals, budget reviews, or sign-offs from multiple stakeholders. Even after a verbal offer, there can be a lag before paperwork is finalized, particularly at larger institutions with layered decision-making processes. That said, a delay of several weeks is definitely on the longer side, so it’s reasonable to want clarity.
The best approach is to follow up politely but consistently. You can reach out to HR or your main point of contact, thanking them again for the offer and expressing your continued enthusiasm, while asking if they can provide a rough timeline for the next steps. Keeping the tone professional and understanding shows maturity, while also reminding them that you're engaged and serious. In the meantime, continue exploring other options just in case, but don’t assume the worst — these processes can be slow, even when the intent to hire is strong.
Yes, it’s quite normal for formal offer letters to take time, especially in big firms with multiple approval layers. Verbal offers are often conditional until everything is signed off.
What you can do:
- Politely follow up with HR every week or so to show your continued interest and get updates.
- Ask if there’s anything you can provide to help speed things up.
- Keep your options open and continue applying elsewhere just in case.
If it drags on too long, you can ask for a rough timeline to manage your expectations.
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